Kuanzhai Alley
Kuanzhai Alley
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- Qisiang RMelbourne, Australia297 contributionsThe place to be when you are in ChengduKuanzhai Alley, Jinli Street and Wuhou Shrine are next to one another. Kuan Zhai Alley are actually two separate street-one wide, the other narrow but next to each other. As other reviewers had observed, it is very similar to the Hutong in Beijing. On a "low-season" time, these streets were still full of visitors. Some of the buildings here are more than 200 years old. It had every type of goods, souvenirs, foods, that you can think off, and more:-face changing opera, calligraphers writing your Chinese names on fans; stone/wood carving stamp of your Chinese names; all sorts of exotic foods (insects, rabbit, spicy hot pots; whole cuttlefish; various types of meat on skewers; dumplings; deep fried potatoes, various type of Chinese cakes, and yes even Starbuck coffee.) You just cannot list everything you come across. It is definitely an eye opener if you have not been to any of this type of street food district. If you loop in Jinli Street and Wuhou Shrine, plus explore the tea house, you can probably spend a whole day here.Visited September 2023Travelled with familyWritten 12 October 2023
- dyhx6,252 contributionsAnother typical old street conceptIt's an area of ancient infrastructures on the outside, occupied by modern day shops inside, selling things from craft to souvenirs to food. Another of those 老街 / 步行街 concept, but this area is a main street filled with little smaller side streets, hence the 宽 and 窄. It's here that I caught some sub-par traditional performances in one of the dessert shops. Nice photo spots but it's just too crowded for any proper photos to be taken without a bomber.Visited October 2023Travelled soloWritten 25 October 2023
- Ragina RMelbourne, Australia10 contributionsNice place but a bit crowdedAn interesting place to see with nice architecture and loads of food stalls and little shops selling everything from embroidery to cute panda toys. However, it was a bit overly crowded and touristy. Worth to visit to tick off the bucket list but just a one tie only exploration for me!Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 26 October 2023
- Zfy EdSingapore, Singapore10,527 contributionsCrowded shopping area where the new meets the oldThis is probably one of the "must visit" places in Chengdu and making a trip here can allow you to indulge the local history, food and arts culture, and of course lifestyle of the people here. The old shophouses located on both sides on the small walking paths, have been given a refurnished with a new lease of life, signaling the young and energy vibes of the city. These shophouses (also the makeshift stalls) are now mainly retail businesses, selling local souvenirs, toys, arts and handicrafts, foods and drinks etc. Because of these, the place is very crowded as lots of visitors and also quite touristy. Many shops have staff stationed outside their premise to tout passersby to go into their shops to buy things or watch the "facechanging" performances etc. Well, that's interesting but just smile and walk through them (unless you have intention to buy their products).Visited February 2024Travelled with familyWritten 18 March 2024
- AhWahXiamen, China215 contributionsNicely restored place but seems overly commercialized with souvenir shops.Great place for westerners to enjoy the Chinese culture and architecture. There are restaurants with Chinese decor that serves Chongqing food, complete with servers in Hanfu, there are also theaters with live operas and face changing performances. Great place to catch Chengdu culture in one place. Many shops r also selling the same touristic key chains, stuffed pandas and Mala and local preserved food. it’s Chengdu must visit spot, for once u r there, its kinda another tourist spot selling souvenirs, like in any other Chinese city.Visited September 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 9 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,626 contributions
Nov 2019
The area of ancient wide and narrow alley-ways has many well-preserved, renovated, and rebuilt Qing Dynasty buildings is a cultural treasure of Chengdu. There are shops selling local handicrafts, and Sichuan eateries offering local foods, some of which are Sichuan-spicy. A very touristy area.
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yipjcs88
Hong Kong, China9,964 contributions
Jan 2020
I have visited the place several times but the place is always interesting for walking around. It offers a variety of Sichuan foods, stage shows, souvenirs, etc. There is a back alley adjacent to the wide (kuan) and narrow (zhai) alleys, but most of the shops are in the latter two. Found some interesting people in the back alley; people dressed in Chinese opera costumes and posing for photos.
Written 31 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ailton007
Seattle, WA1,217 contributions
Apr 2021
A paradise for photographers and great place to stroll, visit little shops and have a Sichuan tea ceremony. Also great for trying out local food and watch Sichuan opera performances. Fairly inexpensive and takes about 30 min. You have to go inside a lot of the houses to discover the courtyards, gardens, statues etc.
We liked it so much that we came back on another day before headed to the airport. All walkable and easy to get to by Did (taxi)
We liked it so much that we came back on another day before headed to the airport. All walkable and easy to get to by Did (taxi)
Written 10 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dyhx
Singapore6,252 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
It's an area of ancient infrastructures on the outside, occupied by modern day shops inside, selling things from craft to souvenirs to food. Another of those 老街 / 步行街 concept, but this area is a main street filled with little smaller side streets, hence the 宽 and 窄.
It's here that I caught some sub-par traditional performances in one of the dessert shops.
Nice photo spots but it's just too crowded for any proper photos to be taken without a bomber.
It's here that I caught some sub-par traditional performances in one of the dessert shops.
Nice photo spots but it's just too crowded for any proper photos to be taken without a bomber.
Written 25 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zfy Ed
Singapore, Singapore10,527 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
This is probably one of the "must visit" places in Chengdu and making a trip here can allow you to indulge the local history, food and arts culture, and of course lifestyle of the people here. The old shophouses located on both sides on the small walking paths, have been given a refurnished with a new lease of life, signaling the young and energy vibes of the city. These shophouses (also the makeshift stalls) are now mainly retail businesses, selling local souvenirs, toys, arts and handicrafts, foods and drinks etc.
Because of these, the place is very crowded as lots of visitors and also quite touristy. Many shops have staff stationed outside their premise to tout passersby to go into their shops to buy things or watch the "facechanging" performances etc. Well, that's interesting but just smile and walk through them (unless you have intention to buy their products).
Because of these, the place is very crowded as lots of visitors and also quite touristy. Many shops have staff stationed outside their premise to tout passersby to go into their shops to buy things or watch the "facechanging" performances etc. Well, that's interesting but just smile and walk through them (unless you have intention to buy their products).
Written 18 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nancy921
Taipei, Taiwan19,194 contributions
Sept 2023 • Solo
Kuanzhai Alley is a new landmark in Chengdu and a cultural attraction with historical significance!
In the Qing Dynasty, it was called "Shaocheng" and it was a place where residents of the Eight Banners were accommodated.
Since 2007, the restoration project of the historic site has been carried out.
Now there are three alleys left, in order: wide alley, narrow alley, and well alley~
There are various restaurants, teahouses (you can also watch Sichuan opera face-changing or storytelling), coffee shops, handicrafts, books, clothing, etc. in the alley~
Take a slow walk and wander around, time seems to go back to the early Republic of China!!
In the Qing Dynasty, it was called "Shaocheng" and it was a place where residents of the Eight Banners were accommodated.
Since 2007, the restoration project of the historic site has been carried out.
Now there are three alleys left, in order: wide alley, narrow alley, and well alley~
There are various restaurants, teahouses (you can also watch Sichuan opera face-changing or storytelling), coffee shops, handicrafts, books, clothing, etc. in the alley~
Take a slow walk and wander around, time seems to go back to the early Republic of China!!
Written 14 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MM0980
Leipzig, Germany648 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
We were here in the evening. Our main goal was dinner - hot pot, of course. We found a nice restaurant. The menu wasn't in English, but we were given good advice using gestures and gestures and made a very tasty selection. We then strolled through the alleys and took a few snapshots of decorated doors and walls. Of course, we also saw the "ear cleaners".
Written 21 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AhWah
Xiamen, China215 contributions
Sept 2024 • Friends
Great place for westerners to enjoy the Chinese culture and architecture. There are restaurants with Chinese decor that serves Chongqing food, complete with servers in Hanfu, there are also theaters with live operas and face changing performances. Great place to catch Chengdu culture in one place.
Many shops r also selling the same touristic key chains, stuffed pandas and Mala and local preserved food.
it’s Chengdu must visit spot, for once u r there, its kinda another tourist spot selling souvenirs, like in any other Chinese city.
Many shops r also selling the same touristic key chains, stuffed pandas and Mala and local preserved food.
it’s Chengdu must visit spot, for once u r there, its kinda another tourist spot selling souvenirs, like in any other Chinese city.
Written 10 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Qisiang R
Melbourne, Australia297 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
Kuanzhai Alley, Jinli Street and Wuhou Shrine are next to one another. Kuan Zhai Alley are actually two separate street-one wide, the other narrow but next to each other. As other reviewers had observed, it is very similar to the Hutong in Beijing. On a "low-season" time, these streets were still full of visitors. Some of the buildings here are more than 200 years old. It had every type of goods, souvenirs, foods, that you can think off, and more:-face changing opera, calligraphers writing your Chinese names on fans; stone/wood carving stamp of your Chinese names; all sorts of exotic foods (insects, rabbit, spicy hot pots; whole cuttlefish; various types of meat on skewers; dumplings; deep fried potatoes, various type of Chinese cakes, and yes even Starbuck coffee.) You just cannot list everything you come across. It is definitely an eye opener if you have not been to any of this type of street food district. If you loop in Jinli Street and Wuhou Shrine, plus explore the tea house, you can probably spend a whole day here.
Written 13 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zarza's Travels
Auckland, New Zealand1,000 contributions
Jul 2021 • Solo
An interesting place to see, in terms of architecture but it was extremely busy and lots of people wanting to take pictures with foreigners, which of course happens in China but to an uncomfortable level here. Loads of food stalls and little shops, selling everything from embroidery to plastic toys. Some beautiful tea rooms but hard to get close to see them properly. Visited from 5 - 7pm and it was manic whilst leaving. Was much quicker walking away from the area to get a taxi then trying to get one from there. Worth a look, definitely, but a one time only exploration for me!
Written 15 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I don't know for sure, but I'd guess that People's Park would be a good place to look for them.
Written 24 January 2020
Planning to stay near this place for one night in chengdu. Is this a good place to do street shopping. More interested in lacquerwares, pottery and cutleries.
Thanks in advance.
Written 3 January 2020
While the alleys are a great place to visit as tourists I'm not sure they will have what you want and you may have to search elsewhere in the city for your items.
Written 8 January 2020
What is the closest metro station? Thanks!
Written 13 March 2019
We went there by taxi. But I found a review mentioned about the nearest station is Tong Hui Men. Hope it helps.
Written 14 March 2019
Hi everyone
Did anyone go to a traditional tea ceremony? And your thoughts and price please. 😊
Tee
Written 27 September 2018
Hi everyone
Did anyone go to a traditional tea ceremony? And your thoughts and price please. 😊
Tee
Written 27 September 2018
You will have a great experience and be assured price reasonably affordable any where in Chengdu.
Enjoy ya!!
Written 28 September 2018
I recommend to take subway when you want to leave the area. Taking Didi to go there is ok but booking is Didi when you leave requires you to give exact landmarks to meet your driver as there are many entrances for this area.
Written 11 April 2018
Hi guys, what time is the latest time I am go there on a Thursday night? I won't be arriving till 10pm, will it still be worth it to go there?
Written 14 September 2017
Good question! We were there in the evening, until around 10, and things were still busy. But I'm guessing by midnight things are winding down. If you get there around 10, based on our experience, you'll still find lots of restaurants and pubs open. A lot of the shops will close, though.
Written 14 September 2017
Hi guys, what time is the latest time I am go there on a Thursday night? I won't be arriving till 10pm, will it still be worth it to go there?
Written 14 September 2017
Hi ,
I'm afraid that will be too late !There is a lot going on (a lot of action and a lot of people) from late in the morning till late in the afternoon !
After 9PM it is quite useless to go there ! Only a few restaurants remain open ... and after 10PM literally everybody has gone home !
Written 15 September 2017
Hi May I know the best time to visit here ?
Written 20 March 2017
In the weekend, it is crowded throughout the whole day.
Written 21 March 2017
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